The Early Years Education Entitlement is a contribution by the Government towards the cost of your childcare.

The funded contribution is available for children the term after they turn 9 months if parents are working. There is a funding contribution for two year old’s whose parent(s) receive benefits. To find out if you are eligible click here.

All three and four year olds are eligible for universal funding of 11 hours per week of funded childcare if they attend all year, or 15 hours per week for term time only attendance.

A top up to the universal funded hours to 30 hours of funded childcare per week if they attend term time only or 22 for all year attendance is available to working parents. To find out if you qualify for the additional hours click here.

If you're a working parent with children under 12 (or under 17 for disabled children), you can open an online account to pay for registered childcare. The government will top-up the money you pay into the account. For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2. You can receive up to £2,000 per child, or £4,000 if your child is disabled.

Tax Free Childcare, 10 things parents should know click here

If you, and any partner, are working, or you’re due to start work, and you’re claiming Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs for children under 16. You could get up to £646 a month for one child, or £1,108 for two or more.

Universal Credit is being phased in over the next few years. It will replace a number of existing benefits, including tax credits. Whether you can claim will depend on where you live and your personal circumstances.

Contact the helpline on 0845 300 3900.

In addition to Government funded childcare we also accept childcare Vouchers from your employer. The Government closed the voucher scheme to new entrants in 2018 and the scheme is now only open to those who currently use Vouchers. Childcare Vouchers have been replaced by Tax Free Childcare.